Sky News deletes tweet on Israeli fans chanting racist slogans in Amsterdam

UK-based Sky News deleted a tweet about Israeli fans shouting racist remarks before a UEFA Europa League match was played earlier this week in Amsterdam, Anadolu Agency reported.

"Maccabi Tel Aviv fans tore down Palestinian flags and chanted racist anti-Arab slogans," said the deleted tweet. It is unclear when it was deleted.

Some on social media reacted to the removal of the footage after sharing it. They said the news outlet was censoring itself.

“The video explains the truth about the Israeli football hooligans who went on a racist rampage in the city this week,” Asa Winstanley, an investigative journalist of Jewish origin, wrote on X.

During a minute of silence for victims of floods in Spain before the match, Israeli fans continued to whistle protests, chant and shouted anti-Arab slogans.

At least 62 people have been detained so far in incidents.

Last week, a wave of violence broke out in Amsterdam late Thursday following a match between Israeli soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, as supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv reportedly stormed the city, tearing down Palestinian flags from private properties and chanting inflammatory slogans.

Below is an initial account of events as reported by Reuters.

The clashes, which occurred both before and after the match, had sparked widespread condemnation.

Eyewitness reports and videos shared on social media show Maccabi fans vandalising property, attacking bystanders, and even setting a Palestinian flag on fire.

Disturbingly, the footage also captures fans assaulting a local taxi driver and confronting law enforcement officers.

Max Blumenthal, editor of The Grayzone News, commented on the videos circulating online, saying: "There are numerous videos of Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam vandalizing property, attacking cops and bystanders, and tearing down Palestinian flags. Now, this fascist group is playing the victim and waiting for airlifts back to their colonies."

Football journalist Leyla Hamed also corroborated Blumenthal’s account late Thursday, stating: "Hooligans from the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv marched through Amsterdam, stealing Palestinian flags from homes and even setting one on fire."

In response to the violence, Israeli officials condemned the incidents, labeling them as "attacks on Israeli citizens." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to social media, condemning the "very violent incident" and announcing the immediate dispatch of rescue planes to assist Israeli citizens in Amsterdam. Netanyahu further demanded that Dutch authorities "take swift and vigorous action against the rioters."